Saudi Arabia has approved new regulations for private educational institutions, strengthening student protections and introducing stricter controls on school fees. Under the rules, schools cannot withhold students’ results or restrict access to educational resources because of unpaid fees.
Published in the Umm Al-Qura Official Gazette on 30 October 2026, the Regulation Organising Private Educational Institutions applies across Saudi Arabia. It covers private and non-profit educational institutions, including schools serving families in Riyadh and other cities.
The regulation sets out clearer requirements for tuition fees, optional services, school licensing and regulatory monitoring. It also reinforces the principle that students should not become involved in financial disputes between schools and their parents.
However, parents should be aware that the regulation will take effect when the General Education Law comes into force. Its publication does not mean all the provisions are already being enforced.
Saudi Arabia Private Schools Cannot Withhold Results Over Unpaid Fees
One of the most significant changes concerns how private schools handle outstanding payments.
Article 12 states that institutions cannot involve students in claims or correspondence relating to fees or financial obligations owed by their parents.
Schools are also prohibited from,
- Withholding students’ results because of a financial dispute with a parent.
- Preventing students from accessing educational resources.
- Taking action that affects a student’s right to receive educational services because of a payment dispute.
- Involving students in messages or demands seeking payment from parents.
The regulation does not remove a school’s right to recover outstanding fees. However, institutions must pursue payment through lawful channels rather than placing pressure on students.
For parents, this establishes a clearer distinction between a school’s financial relationship with a family and a child’s right to continue learning.
New 180-Day Notice Rules for School Fees
The regulation also introduces advance disclosure requirements for tuition fees.
Under Article 10, private educational institutions must publish their tuition fees and details of the services included. They must also register this information on the Ministry of Education’s electronic platform at least 180 days before the academic year begins.
Schools must give parents at least 180 days’ notice before any change to fees for students already enrolled.
The regulation also requires schools to explain which services are included in tuition and which carry separate charges.
This is particularly relevant to families budgeting for the academic year, as additional costs can include transport, school trips, visits, activities and events.
Article 11 establishes further protections. Schools must,
- Disclose all fees and amounts parents are expected to pay.
- Clearly distinguish compulsory services from optional services.
- Publish the charges for optional services through the Ministry’s platform or another approved channel.
- Avoid collecting fees that were not disclosed in advance.
- Allow parents to decline optional services without being compelled to purchase them.
These requirements aim to give parents a clearer picture of the total cost of education before they commit to a school.
Parents Gain Clearer Information and Complaint Channels
The regulation also strengthens the information schools must provide before enrolling a student or signing an education contract.
Under Article 19, parents must be able to review essential information before completing registration. This includes the school’s licence, approved curriculum, language of instruction, academic calendar and admission requirements.
Schools must also disclose tuition fees, compulsory charges, optional services and their prices.
Parents should receive information about payment arrangements, withdrawal and refund policies, attendance rules, assessment procedures and available facilities.
In addition, schools must provide a clearly advertised channel for complaints from students and parents.
Institutions are required to respond to complaints within 10 days. This does not prevent parents from submitting their complaints directly through the Ministry of Education’s official channels.
For families comparing private schools in Riyadh and elsewhere in the Kingdom, these requirements could make it easier to assess the full cost and conditions of enrolment.
How Will Saudi Arabia Monitor Private Schools?
The regulation introduces a risk-based framework for monitoring private educational institutions.
Under Article 20, the Ministry of Education will assess schools according to their compliance levels and risk profiles. The framework will consider factors such as the nature and size of the institution, previous violations, complaints and the effectiveness of corrective measures.
Schools will also be subject to self-assessment and periodic disclosure of information. The Ministry can conduct routine, random or targeted checks.
Importantly, the Ministry may publish schools’ compliance levels or risk assessment results through its approved platform. This could help parents make more informed decisions when choosing an institution.
Where violations are identified, the Ministry can require a school to prepare and implement a corrective plan. The plan must identify the action needed, who is responsible and the time allowed to address the problem.
Article 22 states that violations will be subject to penalties set out in a separate schedule under the General Education Law. The severity and repetition of the violation, its impact on students and the school’s cooperation will be considered.
The regulation also allows the Ministry to revoke a school’s licence in specified circumstances, including repeated serious violations or loss of essential licensing requirements. It separately provides for action to close premises operating without the required licence.
When Will the New Private School Regulations Take Effect?
Although the regulation was published on 30 October 2026, Article 25 states that it will come into force on the date the General Education Law takes effect.
Therefore, parents should distinguish between the publication of the regulation and its formal implementation. Schools and families should follow further announcements from the Ministry of Education for the commencement date and supporting implementation guidance.
For now, the regulation sets out a clearer framework for private education in Saudi Arabia. Its provisions address concerns that matter directly to families, including unexpected fee changes, undisclosed charges and the treatment of students when parents have outstanding payments.
The central principle is clear, financial disputes between a school and a parent should not interfere with a student’s access to education.
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Further Reading
- What Makes A School Feel Like The Right Place For Your Child?
- King’s College Riyadh Brings British Education And Holistic Learning To Its New Sedra Campus